Method and system for viewing sports content within a virtual reality environment

Thisapplicationpatent arises from a broadening reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 11,418,829, issued Aug. 16, 2022, whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/556,712 filed on Aug. 30, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/069,723 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,412,438), filed on Mar. 14, 2016. The contents of each of the foregoing is/are hereby incorporated by reference into this application as if set forth herein in full.

The present disclosure relates generally to viewing sporting events within a virtual reality environment.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Satellite television has become increasingly popular due to the wide variety of content and the quality of content available. A satellite television system typically includes a set top box that receives and decodes satellite signals for viewing content on a television.

Satellite television systems typically broadcast content to a number of users simultaneously in a system. Satellite television systems also offer subscription or pay-per-view access to broadcast content. Access is provided using signals broadcast via a satellite. Once access is provided, a user can access the broadcast content.

Many content providers are offering systems that provide a centralized server with a large amount of video storage. Multiple client devices can connect to the server to display video content received from the server.

Virtual reality (VR) devices are gaining in popularity. This is particularly true for gaming systems. VR devices include a user interface and a head mounted display (HMD) that displays a VR environment. A view of the VR environment, displayed on the HMD (sometimes referred to as VR gear), typically changes with movement of a user of the HMD.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for displaying content and related information on a display of a virtual reality device.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a virtual reality system is provided and includes a head mounted display, an options module, a sensor or input device, a selection module, and a display module. The head mounted display is configured to display a virtual reality environment including sports content of a live game, a prerecorded game, or a sports channel. The options module is configured to generate an options signal to show viewing options in the virtual reality environment. The viewing options define viewing aspects for viewing the sports content within the virtual reality environment. The sensor or input device is connected to the head mounted display and configured to generate signals based on detection of at least one of movement of the head mounted display, movement of an eyeball of a user, voice communication of the user, or user contact with the input device. The selection module is configured to, based on the signals: select the sports content and one or more of the viewing options; and generate a selection signal indicating the sports content and the one or more of the viewing options. The display module is configured to display the sports content in the virtual reality environment based on the selection signal.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a virtual reality system is provided. The method includes: displaying on a head mounted display a virtual reality environment including sports content of a live game, a prerecorded game, or a sports channel; generating an options signal to show viewing options in the virtual reality environment; and generating, via at least one sensor or input device connected to the head mounted display, signals based on detection of at least one of movement of the head mounted display, movement of an eyeball of a user, voice communication of the user, or user contact with the input device. The viewing options define viewing aspects for viewing the sports content within the virtual reality environment. The method further includes: based on the generated signals, selecting the sports content and one or more of the viewing options; generating a selection signal indicating the sports content and the one or more of the viewing options; and displaying the sports content in the virtual reality environment based on the selection signal.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

The teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a system for communicating content to an end user or user device (e.g., a mobile phone, a tablet, a computer, and/or a virtual reality device). Both the data source and the user device may include one or more modules having a memory or other data storage for incoming and outgoing data. For definitions and structure of the modules see below provided description and accompanying drawings.

A content and/or service provider is also described. A content and/or service provider is a provider of data to an end user. The service provider, for example, may provide data corresponding to the content such as metadata as well as actual content in a data stream or signal. The content and/or service provider may include one or more modules, processors, controllers, communication components, network interfaces and other associated circuitry to allow communication with various other devices in a system.

Further, while the following disclosure is made with respect to the delivery of video (e.g., television (TV), movies, music videos, etc.), it should be understood that the systems and methods disclosed herein may also be used for delivery of any media content type, for example, audio, music, data files, web pages, advertising, etc. Additionally, throughout this disclosure reference is made to data, content, information, programs, sports content, advertising, assets, video data, etc., however, these terms may be used interchangeably with respect to transferring data via the example systems disclosed herein. While the following disclosure is made with respect to example DIRECTV® broadcast services and systems, it should be understood that many other delivery systems are readily applicable to the disclosed systems and methods. Such systems include wireless terrestrial distribution systems, wired or cable distribution systems, cable television distribution systems, Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF) radio frequency systems or other terrestrial broadcast systems (e.g., Multi-channel Multi-point Distribution System (MMDS), Local Multi-point Distribution System (LMDS), etc.), Internet-based distribution systems, cellular distribution systems, power-line broadcast systems, any point-to-point and/or multicast Internet Protocol (IP) delivery network, and fiber optic networks. Further, different tasks performed by a service provider and integrated receiver/decoders (IRDs) as described below can be reallocated as desired without departing from the intended scope of this disclosure.

Referring now to, a satellite television broadcasting systemincluding a virtual reality systemis illustrated. The satellite television broadcast systemincludes a head endthat generates wireless signalsthrough an antennawhich are received by an antennaof a satellite. The wireless signals, for example, may be digital. The wireless signalsmay be referred to as an uplink signal. A transmitting antennagenerates downlink signalsthat are directed to a user receiving device. The user receiving devicemay be located within a buildingsuch as a home, multi-unit dwelling or business. The user receiving deviceis in communication with an antenna. The antennareceives downlink signalsfrom the transmitting antennaof the satellite. Thus, the user receiving devicemay be referred to as a satellite television receiving device. However, the system has applicability in non-satellite applications such as a wired or wireless terrestrial system. Therefore, the user receiving devicemay be referred to as a television receiving device or set top box. More than one user receiving devicemay be included within a system and/or within a building. The user receiving devicesmay be interconnected.

The downlink signalsthat are communicated to the antennamay be live linear television signals. Live television signals may be referred to as linear content because the live television signals are broadcasted at a predetermined time on a predetermined channel. A grid guide commonly includes linear content arranged by channel and by time. The linear content is different than on-demand content that is communicated from the head end or other content distribution network to a user receiving devicewhen requested by the user. The client devicemay also be in direct and/or bi-directional communication with a virtual reality device. The client devicemay communicate via wires and/or wirelessly with the virtual reality device. A display (e.g., display) of the client devicemay be used as a display of the virtual reality device. For example, the virtual reality devicemay be plugged into or attach to the virtual reality deviceand a screen of the client devicemay be magnified by lenses within the virtual reality device. When used in this manner, the client devicemay be considered as part of the virtual reality device. The operation of the client devicerelative to the virtual reality deviceis described in detail below. Video content (e.g., streaming video and/or live video content) may be transmitted from the satellite(or a base station), the user receiving device, the client device, the networkto the virtual reality device. The video content may originate at the content provideror the head endand be transmitted to one or more of the devices,,,.

The client devicemay include different types of devices. One or more client devices may be used in a system. In this example, the client deviceincludes and/or is implemented as one or more of a mobile device, a computer, and a game system. Each of the devices may include one or more applications (Apps, a single APP is shown for each device) and corresponding software code that is used for interfacing with the virtual reality device. Although shown in the client device, the applicationor a portion thereof may be stored and executed on the virtual reality device. The applications may include video game applications, movie applications, sports applications (e.g., a national football league App, a national hockey league App, a national basketball league App, a professional sports App, etc.), or other types of computer programs that are used to display content on one or more of the displays disclosed herein, such as the displays,. As mentioned above, one or more client devicesmay be included in the systemand communicate with the virtual reality device. The mobile devicemay be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, or other type of mobile computing device. The computermay be a desk top computer. The game systemmay operate various types of video games that use the virtual reality deviceas an input and as a display.

The user receiving devicemay be in communication with a routerthat forms a local area networkwith a client deviceand/or a virtual reality device. The routermay be a wireless and/or wired router. For example, the user receiving devicemay be wired to the routerand wirelessly coupled to the client deviceand to the virtual reality device. The routermay communicate internet protocol (IP) format signals to the user receiving device. The IP signals may be used for controlling various functions of the user receiving device. IP signals may also originate from the user receiving devicefor communication to other devices such as the client deviceor the virtual reality devicethrough the router. The client deviceand the virtual reality devicemay also communicate signals to the user receiving devicethrough the router.

The virtual reality devicemay be wearable on a user meaning it is meant to be fixed to the user during operation. An example of a virtual reality deviceincludes an Oculus VR® device. The complexity of the virtual reality devicemay vary from a simple display device with motion sensor to a device having various inputs and user interfaces. The virtual reality devicemay be in direct communication with the user receiving deviceand/or the client devicethrough a Bluetooth® connection. The virtual reality devicemay also be in communication with the user receiving deviceand the client devicethrough an IP connection through the routerand a local area network. The virtual reality devicemay also be in communication with devices outside the local area networkthrough the router. That is, the virtual reality devicemay communicate with other devices such as the head endthrough the network. The client devicemay provide a bridge or a communication path for the virtual reality deviceto the routerand ultimately to the user receiving deviceor the network. The virtual reality devicemay generate signals such as selection signals that are communicated through the client devicebut are destined to be used by the user receiving device, the head endor other user devices in communication with the network.

The client devicemay also be in communication with the router, the head endand various other devices through the networkor other devices in other parts of the network.

The user receiving deviceincludes a screen displayassociated therewith. The displaymay be a television or other type of monitor. The displaymay display both video signals and audio signals.

The client devicemay also have a displayassociated therewith. The displaymay also display video and audio signals. The displaymay be integrated into the client device. The displaymay also be a touch screen that acts as at least one user interface. Other types of user interfaces on the client devicemay include buttons and switches.

The displayof the virtual reality devicemay also display video and audio signals. The displaymay be integrated into the virtual reality device. The displaymay be a stereoscopic display that displays different images for each eye of the user. Images of the display, as viewed by a user, may be combined in the brain of the user to form a continuous image. A projected display or user interface may also be projected on the display. The virtual reality devicemay also include physical function selectors, switches, or buttons as other types of user interfaces (e.g., touch pad) for selecting displayed tiles (sometimes referred to as chicklets), stadium sections, points of reference, stadium seats, stadium cameras, etc. Tiles may refer to portions of displayed video that include selectable content. Examples of tiles are shown in. Although the term “stadium” is primarily used herein to refer to any facility in which a sports game is played, the term stadium may be replaced with and/or refer to an arena, a dome or facility having an air-supported structure, a gym, or some other facility or structure in which a sports game can be played.

The user receiving devicemay be in communication with the head endthrough an external network, such as network. The networkmay include one type of network or multiple types of networks. The networkmay, for example, include a public switched telephone network, the Internet, a mobile telephone network or other type of network. The networkmay be in communication with the user receiving devicethrough the router. The networkmay also be in communication with the client devicethrough the router. The networkmay be in direct communication with the client deviceor virtual reality devicesuch as in a cellular system implementation.

The systemmay also include a content providerthat provides content to the head end. Although only one content provideris illustrated, more than one content provider may be included in the system. The head endis used for distributing the content through the satelliteor the networkto the user receiving device, client device, or the virtual reality device.

A data providermay also provide data to the head end. The data providermay provide various types of data such as schedule data or metadata. The metadata may ultimately be provided to a user device through the program guide system. The metadata may include various descriptions, ratings, titles, user ratings, television or parental guidance ratings, descriptions, related descriptions and various other types of data. The data providermay provide the data directly to the head endand may also provide data to various devices such as the client device, virtual reality device, mobile deviceand the user receiving devicethrough the networkor the user receiving devicevia the router. This may be performed in a direct manner through the networkor indirectly through the user receiving device.

Referring now to, a user receiving device, such as a set top box is illustrated in further detail. Although, a particular configuration of the user receiving deviceis illustrated, other configurations with an internal controller receiving content may be implemented. Each of the components illustrated may be capable of communicating with each other.

The antennamay be one of a number of different types of antennas that includes one or more low noise blocks. The antennamay be a single antennaused for satellite television reception. The user receiving deviceis in communication with the display. The displaymay have an output driverwithin the user receiving device.

A controller (or control module)may be a processor such as a microprocessor that cooperates with control software. The controllermay be used to coordinate and control various devices of the user receiving device. These devices may include a tuner, a demodulator, a decoder(e.g., a forward error correction decoder), a buffer and/or other devices.

The tunerreceives a signal and/or data via an individual satellite channel and/or channel bonding. The tunermay receive television programming content, program guide data or other types of data. The demodulatordemodulates the signal and/or data to form a demodulated signal and/or data. The decoderdecodes the demodulated signal to form decoded data and/or a decoded signal. The controllermay be a chip-based multi-functional controller. Although only one tuner, one demodulatorand one decoderare illustrated, multiple tuners, demodulators and decoders may be provided within a single user receiving device.

The controlleris in communication with a memory. The memoryis illustrated as a single box with multiple boxes therein. The memorymay include different types of memory, such as a hard drive, a flash drive and various other types of memory. The different boxes represented in the memorymay be other types of memory or sections of different types of memory. The memorymay include nonvolatile memory and/or volatile memory.

The memorymay include storage for content data and operational data collected during operation of the user receiving device. The memorymay also include advanced program guide (APG) data. The program guide data may include various amounts of data including two or more weeks of program guide data for a program guide. The program guide data may be communicated in various manners including through the satelliteof. The program guide data may include a content or program identifiers, and various data objects corresponding thereto. A program guide may include program characteristics for respective program content. The program characteristic may include ratings, categories, sports information, content identifier and producer data. The data may also include various user profiles such as other settings like parental controls.

The memorymay also store a user receiving device identifier that uniquely identifies the user receiving device. The user receiving device identifier may be used in communications through the network to address commands thereto.

The memorymay also include a digital video recorder. The digital video recordermay be a hard drive, flash drive, or other memory device. A record of the content stored in the digital video recorderis a playlist. The playlist may be stored in the DVRor a separate memory as illustrated.

The user receiving devicemay also include a user interface. The user interfacemay be of various types or combinations of various types of user interfaces and include a keyboard, push buttons, a touch screen and/or a remote control. The user interfacemay be used to select a channel, select information, change the volume, change appearance of a display, and/or perform other functions. The user interfacemay be used for generating a selection signal for selecting content and/or data shown on the display.

A network interfacemay be included within the user receiving deviceto communicate various data through the networkillustrated above. The network interfacemay be configured for a WiFi, WiMax, WiMax mobile, wireless, cellular, and/or other type of communication systems. The network interfacemay use various protocols for communication therethrough including, but not limited to, hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

A Bluetooth® modulemay send and receive Bluetooth® formatted signals to or from the client deviceand/or virtual reality device. Both the Bluetooth® moduleand the network interfacemay be connected to one or more wireless antennas. The antennasgenerate RF signals that may correspond to user receiving device identifiers.

A remote control devicemay be used as a user interface for communicating control signals to the user receiving device. The remote control device may include a keypadfor generating key signals that are communicated to the user receiving device.

The controllermay also include a network transmission module. The network transmission modulemay be used to (i) generate and communicate signals that are renderable such as the program guide, playlist and other menus, and also (ii) communicate the output of the decoder. The signals, which are formed by the network transmission module, may include both audio signals and video signals. One suitable transmission format for live signals to a client is a digital transmission content protection over Internet protocol (DTCP-IP). The user receiving devicemay communicate securely with the client using the DTCP-IP signals. A video encryption modulemay encrypt video signal and audio signals communicated from the user receiving device. A remote interface server modulemay be used for communicating the program guide, banners, playlists and other renderable signals without the need for encryption. By providing renderable signals, the client devicemay include or be implemented as a computer, a mobile device, and/or a gaming device.

Referring now to, the head endis illustrated in further detail. The head endmay include various modules for intercommunicating with the client deviceand the user receiving device, as illustrated in. Only a limited number of interconnections of the modules are illustrated in the head endfor drawing simplicity. Other interconnections may be present in a constructed example. The head endreceives content from the content providerillustrated in. A content processing systemprocesses the content for communication through the satellite. The content processing systemmay communicate live and recorded content as linear content (at a predetermined time and on a corresponding channel). The content processing systemmay be connected to a content repository/memoryfor storing content therein. The content repository/memorymay store and process on-demand or pay-per-view content for distribution at various times. The virtual reality devicemay also display on-demand content. The pay-per-view content may be broadcasted in a linear fashion (at a predetermined time according to a predetermined schedule). Linear content is presently broadcasting and may also be scheduled in the future. The content repository/memorymay also store on-demand content therein. On-demand content is content that is broadcasted at the request of a user receiving device and may occur at any time (not on a predetermined schedule). On-demand content is referred to as non-linear content.

The head endalso includes a program data modulethat may include various types of data related to programming past, present and future. A program guide modulemay also be included in the program data module. The program guide modulemay include the programming data for present and future program data. The program guide modulecommunicates program guide data to the user receiving deviceillustrated in. The program guide modulemay create various objects that are communicated with various types of data therein. The program guide modulemay, for example, include schedule data, various types of descriptions for the content, and content identifiers that uniquely identify content items. The program guide modulemay communicate up to two weeks of advanced guide data for linear content to the user receiving devices. The guide data includes, for example, tuning data such as time of broadcast data, end time data, channel data, and transponder data. Guide data may also include content available on-demand and pay-per-view content.

An authentication modulemay be used to authenticate different user receiving devices, client devices and virtual reality devices that communicate with the head end. Each user receiving device, client device and virtual reality device may have a unique identifier. The user identifiers may be assigned at the head end or associated with a user account at the head end. The authentication modulemay be in communication with a billing module. The billing modulemay provide subscription data and authorization data suitable for the user receiving devices, the client devices and virtual reality devices that interact with the head end. The authentication moduleultimately permits the user receiving devices and client devices to communicate with the head end. Authentication may be performed by providing a user identifier, a password, a user device identifier or combinations thereof.

A content delivery networkmay be in communication with a content repository. The content delivery networkis illustrated outside of the head end. However, the content delivery networkmay also be included within the head end. The content delivery networkmay be managed or operated by operators other than the operators of the head end. The content delivery networkmay be responsible for communicating content to the various devices outside of the head end. Although only one content delivery networkis illustrated, multiple content delivery networks may be used.

Referring now to, the client deviceis illustrated in further detail. The client deviceincludes a controller. The controlleris in communication with a microphone, which receives audible signals and converts the audible signals into electrical signals. The audible signals may include a request signal. The request signal may be to: perform a search; obtain guide data, network data, and/or playlist data; select a sports game and/or channel; select an option and/or a viewing parameter; execute an App; display a game; select a section, seat, camera, view; etc.

The controlleris also in communication with a user interface. The user interfacemay include buttons, input switches and/or a touch screen.

A network interfaceis also in communication with the controller. The network interfacemay be used to interface with the network. As mentioned above, the networkmay be a wireless network or the internet. The network interfacemay communicate with a cellular system or with an Internet or both. A network identifier may be attached to or associated with each communication signal received from the client device, such that a determination may be made by another device as to whether the client deviceand the user receiving deviceare in the same local area network.

The controllermay also be in communication with the displaydescribed above in. The controllermay generate graphical user interfaces and content descriptions.

The controllermay also include a gesture identification modulethat identifies gestures performed on the display. For example, a user in providing a gesture may drag a finger up, down, and/or sideways on the displayand/or hold the finger in a location on the displayfor a predetermined amount of time. A gesture performed on a certain screen may be (i) translated into a particular control command for making a selection, and/or (ii) translated into a signal communicated to the user receiving device.

The client deviceand/or the virtual reality devicemay include a virtual reality module. The virtual reality module(s)may be included within the controllerof the client deviceor in the controller(shown in) of the virtual reality device. The virtual reality modulemay obtain sensor data and scale live video for display by a virtual reality device (the virtual reality deviceor a combination of the devices,) based on the sensor data. That is, a live television display area may be defined within graphics of a virtual reality program or application executed by the virtual reality device. The field-of-view and viewing angle of a virtual reality 3D environment may change based on the sensor data. Output of the virtual reality module may include audio and video signals. The video signals may include image data that is displayed on the displayor.

The controllermay also include a video decryption modulefor decrypting the encrypted audio signals and video signals received from the user receiving device to form decrypted signals. The decryption modulemay decrypt the DTCP-IP formatted signals. An audio and video decoderprocesses the decrypted signals for display. A remote user interface rendererrenders the non-encrypted signals to form a displayed image of, for example, a program guide. The video and rendered graphics signals may be communicated to the virtual reality modulefor scaling and display together with the virtual reality graphics.